Electrospinning apparatus and method for producing multi-dimensional structures and core-sheath yarns

1. An electrospinning apparatus, comprising:

a source at a first potential; and

a rotatable collector at a second potential;

wherein the source is configured to draw a fiber, and alter its orientation with respect to the axis of rotation of the collector, the collector comprising a plurality of electrodes connected at one end and mounted with tines at the other end to form an open structure;

wherein a potential difference between the first and the second potentials causes the fiber to be deposited to the collector; and

wherein the electrodes are flexible and the arrangement of electrodes is adjustable to configure the collector to various shapes and sizes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the source comprises an injector loaded with solution formulation or melt, and the fiber is drawn through a spinneret.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the collector comprises electrodes arranged to form an umbrella, hemispherical, semi-cuboidal, semi-cubical, ellipsoidal, cone, polygonal or irregular shaped structure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the source is configured to align parallel to the axis of the collector with collector diameter in the range 1-10 cm for fabricating two-dimensional scaffolds.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the source is configured to align parallel to the axis of the collector with collector diameter in the range 10-20 cm for fabricating three-dimensional scaffolds.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a rotatable spindle with a guide wire adjacent to the collector, to draw and impart twist to the deposited fibers to form one-dimensional yarns wound thereon.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a package of core yarn attached to the center of the collector, drawn and wrapped by the deposited fibers to form core-shell yarn.

8. An electrospinning apparatus, comprising:

a source at a first potential;

a rotatable collector at a second potential; and

a rotatable spindle with a guide wire adjacent to the collector;

wherein the source is configured to draw a fiber, and alter its orientation with respect to the axis of rotation of the collector, the collector comprising a plurality of electrodes connected at one end and mounted with tines at the other end to form an open structure;

wherein a potential difference between the first and the second potentials causes the fiber to be deposited to the collector; and

wherein the rotatable spindle is configured to draw and impart twist to the deposited fibers to form one-dimensional yarns wound thereon.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the source comprises an injector loaded with solution formulation or melt, and the fiber is drawn through a spinneret.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the collector comprises electrodes arranged to form an umbrella, hemispherical, semi-cuboidal, semi-cubical, ellipsoidal, cone, polygonal or irregular shaped structure.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the electrodes are flexible and the arrangement of electrodes is adjustable to configure the collector to various shapes and sizes.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the source is configured to align parallel to the axis of the collector with collector diameter in the range 1-10 cm for fabricating two-dimensional scaffolds.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the source is configured to align parallel to the axis of the collector with collector diameter in the range 10-20 cm for fabricating three-dimensional scaffolds.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a package of core yarn attached to the center of the collector, drawn and wrapped by the deposited fibers to form core-shell yarn.